GCAA’s “systematic breakdown” caused management audit

May 02, 2014 News

– Board Chairman

By Zena Henry
“A lot of the work of the Board is being stymied at all levels of the Authority. Nobody wants change,” was the opinion of Civil Aviation Board Chairman, Hugh Denbow, as he explained the purpose of a much anticipated management audit of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA).
Relating to an official statement on the upcoming review, Denbow told Kaieteur News yesterday that there appears to be a “systematic breakdown,” in the managerial functioning of the body, and a failure by its officers to effectively carry out their duties.
Most notable, he explained, was the inefficiency of the Authority’s officers to function in the areas of oversight; safety and maintenance. He noted also that several complaints by various aviation stakeholders have also prompted the move.
Kaieteur News was told that two senior managers at the GCAA are expected to go on leave to facilitate an independent audit of the organization’s management. Denbow explained to Kaieteur News that the audit will help to ascertain breakdowns in the system, and hopefully, the findings will help to facilitate the necessary changes.
The chairman went on to say that recently there was the issue of an Air Traffic Controller walking out of the Timehri control tower because he was not relieved from duty when he was supposed to have been. Another incident, he said, was when communications giant Digicel requested a no-objection by the Authority for the erection of a communications tower at Kamarang. After construction of the tower commenced, it was later found out that it was in line with the airstrip and would pose a problem for pilots traversing the area. As a result, another location has to be identified.
Coupled with these complaints and other issues, such matters have led the Ministry of Public Works and the Aviation Board to conclude that much has to be done to rectify the failure of those responsible for the smooth running of the Authority, Denbow explained. He said that the Public Works Ministry was not pleased with the numerous negative reports and, “it was felt that it was time a management audit be conducted to ensure that staffers are carrying out the task of the GCAA.”
The Aviation Board, the chairman continued, has thus followed the instruction of the Minister and “because two critical areas are part of the main probe, we’ve decided that the heads of those agencies should proceed on leave.” Additionally, Denbow related, “we recognize that to achieve US category one status and to conform to international civil aviation standards and recommended practices among other things, we will have to check officers’ relevant qualifications and experience.”
As it relates to accidents and incidents which have been making headlines recently, Denbow said that the Board and the Public Works Minister have also recognized that there is a need to deal with these matters in a timely manner and this too will concern the audit.
Denbow explained that the Board is in the process of drafting the audit’s terms of reference, “and it was felt that in order to be impartial we would get an independent auditor.” The chairman was adamant, however, that changes are necessary at the Authority, but the Board is being met with “resistance.”
A senior official in the aviation arena had told Kaieteur News on Monday that apart from the managerial breakdown, authorities had also been receiving reports of nepotism (bias) and autocratic behaviour. He said complaints also pointed to reactive instead of a proactive posturing by officers and the non-adherence of systems and policies, “especially disciplinary actions.”
In other areas, aviation stakeholders, the Aircraft Owners Association of Guyana in particular, have voiced their dissatisfaction with the Authority and have even made suggestions and proposals on how to better, particularly, the local aviation sector.
This newspaper was told that the navigation services and aviation safety regulation departments are of particular interest. Safety and oversight will remain the primary concern.

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GCAA’s “systematic breakdown” caused management audit

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